2 1/2 shell question?

Grouser

Grouser

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Fredericton, NB
So, I just picked up a 12 bore British Sidelock with 2.5 inch chambers, 28 inch Damascus barrels that are nitro proofed for 1 1/8 ounce loads. I'm in the process of restoring the old beauty. The gun is nice and tight and on face (did have to build two firing pins). I had it inspected by a reputable British trained Smith who pronounced the gun to be sound & safe to shoot. He will be redoing the barrels for me.
Now for the question: The only 2.5 shells I can find in country is Kent Pure Gold and Gamebore - anyone tried these and your opinion of them. I do plan to reload roll crimps for it but it won't be for awhile.
Cheers, John
 
I have used Game Bore 2 1/2" in my 16 gauges on grouse and wood ####. They worked as well as any 2 3/4" load. I don't have a short chambered gun but I came across a case of the short shells in 16 gauge and could not resist. They pattern wider than most as they have no shot cup. Just a fibre wad and the shot. Now someday a short chambered 16 gauge model 12 may surface...

Darryl
 
If you have a local shop that stocks 12 bore 2 1/2" Kent-Gamebore you are indeed fortunate. Gamebore is high quality, and 2 1/2" 12 bore is rare as hens teeth in Canada these days. I'm not encouraging hoarding, but it's prudent to stock up when you can.
Oh, and if you get a chance, try the light 3/4 and 7/8 oz loads, magic in the old English guns, and amazing patterning!
 
I use Gamebore 2 1/2 inch in both 12 and 16 gauge. I like it.

Grouser, what did you pick up? Details? Inquiring minds want to know!
 
The gun is a E (Edwin Palmer). I think it was made between 1900 and 1909 when they ceased operations in Stroud Kent. It s in nice condition with mirror bores the wood is to be refinished and the Damascus finish needs to be re rusted. I'll post pictures at some point in the future.


canvasback said:
I use Gamebore 2 1/2 inch in both 12 and 16 gauge. I like it.

Grouser, what did you pick up? Details? Inquiring minds want to know!
Click to expand...
 
I've used the pure gold 2 1/2" and I like them as well. Below are pressures I took from their site. Of course pressure is one thing but it is the shot charge and FPS (velocity) that will give you recoil. These all have a fair velocity as far as vintage guns go, especially if it is a light upland gun.

Gamebore 12ga-2 1/2" Pure Gold
SKU: G1225PGF28
GameBore 2 1/2"-12ga-1oz, for English & American doubles, 1oz - 1295 fps - 7832 psi. 25 per box, 10 boxes per case.

Gamebore 12ga 2 1/2" Traditional Paper
SKU: G1225TG28
Gamebore 12ga Traditional Paper, box of 25 rns, case of 10 boxes, (1oz - 1295 fps - 6526 psi)

SKU: G1625GHF28
GameBore 16ga-2 1/2"-1oz, Made for English & American doubles, and early Browning Auto-5 with 2 9/16 chambers! box of 25 rns, case of 10 boxes, 1oz - 1260 fps - 8122 psi

Gamebore 20ga 2 1/2" game/hunting
SKU: G2025GHF28
Gamebore 20ga -2 1/2" Game and Hunting, 1oz-1246 fps - 8122 .( #6 in stock, #7 or #5 by special orpsider only )
 
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I use Gamebore Pure Gold 2.5in cartridges for my 12ga.....picked up a flat few years back and still have a quite few boxes left as I seldom shoot the 12......got a couple boxes of paper cartridges left as well that I use for smelling purposes only. :) The 2.5 cartridges hit just as well as its successor.
 
I bought a flat of Gamebore Pure Gold in 12 ga., and a flat each of Gamebore Traditional Game in 16 and in 20 ga.

I use them exclusively for ruffed grouse and other delicate bird species - doesn't matter how the gun is chambered. I love the fact that they employ fiber wads that allow the gun's chokes to do their job. It's a plus that they don't litter the countryside with plastic cups.

I find that I need larger pellets for tougher species like pheasant and sharptail.
 
I have used them in the past and they were okay but I found that I can hand load 2 1/2" just as easily with the same effect and less recoil , so I tend to stay away from them in my vintage guns for the most part
Cat
 
Haven't seen any S&B 2 1/2in shells in ON gunshops.....if anyone may have that here it would most likely be Epps.

Come to think of it, I own a variety of ammo but small opportunities to use most of those - frankly, my ammo is probably beginning to feel like the ones in the older toon movie "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" :)

 
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The Gamebore Pure Gold 2 1/2 inch 12 ga. cartridges are good loads. I bought a case of them (#6 shot), and they work well on Sharptails and ruffies.
 
One minor caveat: British shot sizes are not identical to the North American standards. #6 shot Gamebore shells compare with #7 shot in North American loads. #7 is like our 8 1/2 shot. Keep this in mind any time ordering shells from the UK.
 
Epps show that they "carry" 2-1/2 S&B and Kent, whether they have it, or the shot size you want, is another thing. I have seen Kent here at Wholesale in Calgary off and on.
 
I once killed 21 birds with a single box of Kent game bore 16 ga. 2 -1/2" #6. It was mostly while training bird dogs with barn pigeons in release traps, but also some sharptails, wild pheasants and huns and a crow and a magpie. I like those shells a lot!! I bought a case, and don't have the Ithaca Flues sxs that I originally got them for, but shoot the rest of them in my old pre-war Sauer drilling with good effect too.
 
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